Investigation and Exploitation of Anisotropy in Various Molecular Aggregates

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This renewal grant from the Organic Dynamics Program supports the studies of Professor Weiss at Georgetown University. The research, which is aimed at developing new materials, focuses on correlating the molecular structures of guest molecules with reaction dynamics in liquid crystals, polymer films, gels, membranes, zeolites, and nanoscale cylinders. The four focal points of research are photochemical studies on 2-naphthyl acylates, dynamic emission studies on crystalline 4-alkyl-N-(4-cyanophenyl)-piperidines, studies on ALS (Aromatics Linked to Steroidal groups) gelators of organic liquids, and studies on polymerizations of columnar liquid crystals for chiral separations. In this materials-driven project, Dr. Weiss will study structures and reaction dynamics of guest molecules in constrained, complex media such as liquid crystals, polymer films, gels, membranes, zeolites, and nanoscale cylinders. This multi-faceted research employs photochemical, calorimetric, spectroscopic, and polymeric techniques to unravel factors that influence their molecular structures and reactivities. A better understanding of the factors controlling transformations in these organized molecular assemblies will result from this research that is expected to lead to new materials with specific diagnostic applications.